Ditch the Resolution

Ditch the Resolution - Episode 55

It’s that time of year again…. That time of year when people make resolutions. Well STOP IT! In this episode of the Jonesin’ for Show I discuss why you should ditch the resolution! Well, pump the brakes for a little bit and let me offer some tips to help you have success and crush 2021!

Did you know that 80% of people who set resolutions don’t keep them. Seriously, 80%! That’s nuts!!! I can tell you that I’ve been part of that 80% more times than I care to count. I’ve also been on the 20% side a few times too. And now, I want to help you be on that 20% and make 2021 your year. Are you ready to have success and crush the New Year? Well, then, let’s go after it!

The first thing I want you to do is to ditch the resolution! Why? Because the word resolution has so many negative connotations tied to it. With over 80% of people not reaching their resolution annually it’s almost like people set a resolution with the subconscious intention of not reaching it. Well, let’s bypass that whole mess by ditching the word resolution and instead, create a goal and plan for success.

So what kind of plan you ask? A SMART one of course! There are a few components that go into a successful plan. Let’s break them down!

-First you’ll want a SMART goal. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relative, and Time-bound. When you are setting your goal, check it with the SMART acronym and tweak it as needed. By doing this you are more likely to achieve your goal because it’s laid out cleaner and clearer.

-My second tip for you is to know your reason why. Why do you want to achieve that goal? Know that you can have multiple reasons why. Some that are superficial, surface level reasons and other ones that go deeper. The best reasons why are the ones that tug at your emotions. Because those are the ones that will get you through the tough times. It needs to be so important to you that you will pick yourself up no matter what and keep going towards your goal.

-Next, figure out what happens if you don’t reach your goal. What will happen if you don’t achieve it? Write it down, and keep it next to your reason why and your goal. Many people don’t do this extra step? Why? Because it’s a negative. However, knowing what we will lose or what the “cost” is if we don’t achieve can help us stay motivated.

-Then create a plan. Create benchmarks that act like stepping stones to help you reach your goal. Then come up with tasks that help you reach those benchmarks. Basically, what are the daily tasks you need to do to reach those benchmarks. And what benchmarks do you need to reach to crush your goal. Those benchmarks are like mini goals. Set deadlines to them and make sure they are SMART. This helps you keep everything in focus and allows you to adjust as needed.

-Lastly, offer yourself some incentives. How are you going to celebrate when you reach each benchmark? What will you do when you reach your goal? Decide the celebrations and incentives beforehand so you have some extra push to crush your goal.

Other tips to help you be part of the 20% who crush their “resolutions” or goals as we are reframing it are: Make it a lifestyle. Create a culture of you going after and crushing your goals. While it starts as something new, make it a habit by scheduling it in your day and make it a lifestyle. The last tip I’ll share is to hold yourself accountable. Tell your family and friends you are going after your goals and ask that one or a few of them check in on you. Sometimes this can be enough, other times it may not be. Join an accountability group or get a coach to help hold you accountable. Having a little extra pressure to push yourself and do the work you said you were going to do can make all the difference in being part of the 80% or the 20%.

I know you can be part of the 20% and believe you can achieve it. Please know that I am here to help you on your journey. Feel free to reach out to me and ask for advice or to help coach you. I would also love to hear what you think about the “Ditch the Resolution” episode. Please send me a message on social media at @Jonesinfor or email me at spencer@spencermjones.com. Thank you and let’s make 2021 incredible!